Paneled door construction



April 5, 1960 R. H. Nr-:lsx-:wANDER 2,931,435

PANELED DOOR CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Jan. 25, 1956 PANELED DOOR CGNSTRUCTION Ray H. Neisewander, Springiicld, El., assigner to Raynor Manufacturing Company, Dixon, 1li., a corporation of Illinois Continuation of application Serial No. 561,194, January 25, 1956. This application February 26, 1958, Serial No. 717,611

4 Claims. (Cl. 1150-229) This invention relates to paneled doors, and more specifically to a paneled door having a series of hinged Sections, such as overhead garage doors and the like.

The present application is a continuation of my copending application, Serial No. 561,194, led January 25, 1956, now abandoned.

Overhead doors are customarily equipped with a plurality of paneled sections connected together by hinges mounted upon the relatively narrow frame portions bordering each panel. The panels themselves provide the bulk of the exposed surface area of the door, and since they are generally composed of wood, they respond readily to the humidity and temperature conditions of the surrounding air by either contracting or expanding. It is apparent that when the many panels of such a door are swollen, the narrow hinge-carrying frame members may become distorted or bowed, thereby dislocatng the hinges connecting the diterent sections. Furthermore, the swollen panels may cause the door to bind so that opening and closing of that door can be accomplished, if at all, only with considerable ditculty.

Shrinkage of the door panels may occur during dry weather, so that the hinge-supporting border members to which the panels are secured may again become warped or distorted. Consequently, a dislocation of the hinges and cracking or splitting of the panels and frames may result.

Therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a sectional overhead door construction whch overcomes the defects and disadvantages mentioned above. Another object is to provide a sectional and paneled overhead door in which the panels may either expand or contract without distorting the hinge-carrying frame members of the door, and without altering the relative positions of the hinges connecting the door sections. A further object is to provide a oating panel structure for segmented overhead doors in which means are provided for securely maintaining a Wooden panel in place and, at the same time, for permitting independent expansion or contraction of the panel in accordance with weather conditions.

Other objects will appear from the specification and drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a broken rear elevation of a sectioned and paneled overhead door embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a broken sectional side view taken along lines 2-'2 of Figure l; and Figure 3 is a broken top sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Figure l.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, the letter A generally designates a door such as an overhead garage door, and the letters B, B and B" indicate three of the hinged sections of the segmented door. Each of the door sections is pivotally connected to adjacent sections in the series by hinge means C. While Figure l shows only three hinged sections, it will be understood that a greater number may be provided depending upon the height of the sections and the size of the door opening.

Each of the hinged sections is essentially composed of an outer frame or border 113 and one or more inner panels 11. It is to be noted that the inner panels 11 provide a relatively large exposed surface area in comparison with the relatively narrow outer frame of each section. The panels of each section are preferably arranged in a horizontal series and, as in the case of the sections themselves, their number is dependent upon the relative size of the panels and the door opening.

Each frame 10 consists of a pair of generally horizontal border members or rails 12, and two or more generally vertical border members or stiles 13. The parallel Stiles andthe horizontal rails may be tenoned or secured together by any other suitable means, and dene at least one rectangular opening 14 in each door section. As shown best in Figure 2, the inner opposing sides of rails 12 adjacent opening 14 are provided with curved front shoulders 15 and smaller rear shoulders 16 defining slots or recesses 17 therebetween. Similarly, the inner opposing sides of the upright stiles 13. The parallel Stiles and the horizontal rails may be tenoned or secured together by any other suitable means, and dene at least one rectangular opening 14 at each door section. As shown best in Figure 2, the inner opposing sides of rails 12 adjacent opening 14 are provided with curved front shoulders 15 and smaller rear shoulders 16 defining slots or recesses 17 therebetween. Similarly, the inner opposing sides of the upright stiles 13 adjacent the rectangular opening are equipped with curved front shoulders 18 and reduced rear shoulders 19. Unlike the elongated slots provided by the rails, however, the inner slots or recesses of the stiles are stepped and are defined in part by forward inner steps 20 and rearwardly disposed outer steps 21. Therefore, the frames 10 of the hinged door sections provide a continuous slot about each of the rectangular openings 14 for securing inner panels 11 in place, as will presently appear.

Both the outer frame and the elongated inner panels of each door section are formed of wood, the material rnost commonly used in door construction. Since woods principally expand and contract in directions running transverse to their grain, I prefer to cut each elongated rectangular panel so that the grain extends along its length. Consequently, the door panels will tend to expand and contract towards and away from the upper and lower rails 12 of the door sections. Each panel may be provided with a rearwardly and outwardly inclined front border portion 22 and an untapered peripheral edge portion 23.

The elongated inner panels 11 are adapted to be carried within openings 14 so that their edge portions 23 project into the frame recesses extending about the openings, and so that the front surfaces of those peripheral edge portions lie in contiguous relation with the front shoulders 15 and 18 of the frames. As most clearly illustrated in Figure 3, opposite side edges 24 of each panel tightly abut the front inner steps 20 provided Within the elongated vertical recesses of stiles 13. Therefore, the cross-cut surfaces of each panel are sealed and moisture cannot easily penetrate into the grain of the wood. Furthermore, tight engagement between the side edges 24 and the stiles 13 aids in maintaining the panels securely within their respective frames.

Even though the side edges of panels 11 are tightly seated against the vertical stiles 13, moisture will tend to penetrate or escape from the remaining exposed surfaces of the panels as climatic conditions change. In damp Weather, for example, the panels will tend to expand or grow in opposite vertical directions; that is, in directions transverse to the grain of the wood. Un less means are provided for accommodating this expansion, the door rails may become distorted, thereby dits- Vpanels and the steps Zt? ofthe stiles.

locating the hinge means C and impairing the operation of the door. a

Referring to Figure 2, it vwill be seen that while the top and bottom edge portions-23 of the panels are in contiguous relationvwith front shoulders, the horizontal edgiesgdof the panels do not normallyabut rails 12 'but are separated therefrom by longitudinally extending spaces 2 7, As the panels expand lor grow,-these,spaces'diminishjin size; and when the panels shrink or contract, the horizontal spaces become larger. in either event,

l.frames Y and hinge means C remain unaffected as the' sizes of the panels vary in Yresponse 4to changing weather conditions.

To support the expandable panelsY 1i uniformly'within the door frames, and `at the same ti.. e permit their-free growth and contraction, I secure or fix each vertical edge :portion .of a panel at an `intermediate point between the upper and lowerV limits -thereofvto each vertical stile 13. The two points of connection for each panel are represented by numerals 49 in `Figure l, and may consist of spots of glue between the side edges of the it will be understood, of course, that other means of attachment, such as nails, `might be used to .suspend-the panels -at intermediate :points .-to the .Stiles while at the same Vtime per mitting vertical expansion or contraction of the panels in opposite directions along the stile grooves and above Vand below the intermediate attachment points.

Further support for maintaining the panels in the frames is provided by elongated clamping strips or stop members 2S which extend along the back side of each panel adjacent the upper and lower'edge portions there' of. As shown in Figure 2, stop members 2S have a generally L-shaped crosssection. Onevleg of -each'L- shaped member projects into rail recess 17 between shoullder 16 and the peripheral edge portion 23 of the panel.

The other leg of each stop member extends -along the Vinner surface of frame rail 12. Therefore, the upper and lower edge portions of the panels are held within horizontal frame recesses 17 and between stop members 28 and front shoulders 15, and are nevertheless free to slide within these recesses when the panels expand and contract. Members 28 may be mounted upon the horizontal frame members by nails 29 or by any other suitablemeans. Y

Similar stop members 30 aresmounted along vertical stiles.13 to clamp the side edge portionsfof the panels against front .shoulders 18 (Figure v3). One leg of each vertical stop member abuts rear step'21 of a stile recess, while the-other. leg extends rearwardly/.along Vrear shoulder 19. Nails-31 may be used to firmly secure the vertical stop members to the frame. Like thethorizontal stop members 28, the vertical stop members hold the panels iin place while, at the same time, permit vertical expansion of those panels above and below the points of adhesive connection 40. While the Lshaped mouldings or stop members Z'eand 30 are shown in the drawings as being formedV from wood, it will be understood that these members may be made from other suitable materials, such as aluminum, steel, etc.

Each hinge C comprises a pair of hinge plates 32 and l 33 having rearwardly turned Years w34 `and V35, Vrespectively. A sleeve mounted between the ears of upper ass-'1,435

plate32 carries a laterally extending `shaft .37. Ears 35.of the lower hinge plate. are provided with openings 38 adapted to pivotally receive'the laterally projecting ends of .shaft 37. vIt is to be noted that each'of the hinge plates is secured by Ybolts 39 or by other connecting means to both a stile and a rail of a single doorisection, so that the hinges perform the dual function of hingedly connecting the door sections and rigidly securing the vertical and horizontal frame members together. Since the dimensions of the frame members and the exposed surfaces thereof` are relatively small in comparison with the exposed surface areas of the'relatively large panels,

contraction or expansion of the frame members awill not be sutlicient to interfere with the proper operation of the hinges.

As described above, the panels are supported against rearward displacement by the L-'shaped mouldings or stop members, and specifically by those legs of the'mouidings 28 and 3i? which project into theperipheral recesses or grooves of the rectangular frames. Since the top vand bottom edges of each panel are vuniformly spaced from the rails, and are frictionally but Vslidably secured'in the upper and 'lower grooves by L-shaped mouldings 28, it is apparent that the oating panels are free to expand or contract independently above and below Ytheir ntermediate points of adhesive connection 40 without disturbing the alignment and relation of the frame members. Consequently, proper positioning and operation of the hinges mounted upon the frame members Vare insured even when weather conditions cause Vthe inner panels' to shrink or swell.V

While I have disclosed one vembodiment ofdmy invention in considerablel detail for purposes of illustration, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that many of these details mightbe varied without departing from .the spirit and principles of this invention.

-I claim: j

.1. An overhead door Vstructure comprising a doorhaving a vertical series ofhinged door sections, each oflsaid sections comprising a'generally rectangular Wooden panel having inner and outer faces and a frame formed of interlocking vertical and horizontal. frame members, Vsaid frame members dening a generally rectangular opening'and being equipped with grooves extending along the sides of saidmembers adjacent said opening for re,- ceiving the .peripheral edges of said panel therein, said rectangular panel having vertical side edges abutting said vertical frame members within said grooves and having horizontal top and bottom edges equally spaced from said horizontal frame members Within the grooves provided thereby, said panel having its outer face adjacent Vthe periphery thereof in slidable surface engagement with said frame members within said grooves and being expandable and'contractible in vertical directions, said rectangular panel havingeits vertical side edges each xed at a point substantially equidistant the top and bottom ends thereof to the vertical vmembers of said frame, clamping members rigidly xed to said frame members and partially disposed within the grooves thereof, said clamping. members fslidably engaging the inner Vface of said panel adjacent the periphery thereof, anda Yplurality of hinges connecting the adjacent sections of said vertical series, whereby, said wooden panel may expand and con'- tract in vertical directions Y`above and below said points of fixation withoutdislocatingthe hinges connecting the adjacent door sections.

2. An'overh'eaddoor structure comprising a door having a plurality `of `door sections each providing a frame anda wooden panel suspended therein, said panels V'each being rectangular in 'shape with the lgrain thereof extending horizontally and being capable of expanding and contracting in vertical directions in response to changes in weather conditions, `hinge meansA mounted upon said frames to .provide a series of hingedly connected door sections,'s`aid=frames each having a :rectangular opening therein and a slot extendingY about said opening said panels eachihaving :a pair vof vertical edge portions `extending -across the -grain of the panel and abutting 4said frame within said slot, said vertical edge portions each being iixed at a single intermediate point to Vsaid frame to suspend saidpanel therein for vertical expansion and contraction in opposite vertical directions from said point of fixation, said panels also each having a pair of Ahorizontal edge portions extending along the grain of the panel and carried within said slot, said horizontal edge portions being adapted to abut said 'frame lonly whensaid panel is fully expanded.

3. A garage door structure comprising a door having a plurality of hinged door sections, each of said sections providing a horizontally elongated rectangular frame and a horizontally elongated rectangular panel suspended therein, said frames each defining a horizontally elongated rectangular opening therein and having a slot extending along the inner side of said frame adjacent said opening, said panels having the grain thereof extending horizontally and being capable of expanding and contracting in vertical directions in response to changes in weather conditions, said panels each having a pair of vertical edges abutting said frame within said slot and having a pair of horizontal edges substantially equally spaced from the frame for accommodating vertical expansion and contraction of the panel, said vertical edges each being xed at a single intermediate point therealong to said frame, whereby, said panels are each suspended for expansion and contraction in vertical directions across the grain thereof and in opposite vertical directions from the intermediate points of fixation to the respective frames.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which the peripheral portions of said panels are clamped within said slots for sliding movement therein by elongated stop members mounted upon said frames and having portions thereof extending between the rear surfaces of said panels and said frames.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 540,421 Carter June 4, 1895 619,676 Cronin Feb. 14, 1899 965,220 Phillips July 26, 1910 1,919,311 Trller July 25, 1933 

